National teams all over the world will battle it out today after travelling thousands of miles. In line with the international theme this week, I guess I should preview some of the matches but I can heonestly admit that I do not know enough of most of the teams to give an informed view. Instead, I will take a look at the current underachieving golden team, which is of course Belgium. Playing a 4-2-3-1 system, I will try and figure out the most ideal player for each position and thus their strongest team.
GK: Thibaut Courtois
The goalkeeper has been in outstanding form this season, making some instrumental saves for his team. Actually, he has been putting in consistrnt performances for quite a few seasons already and his consistency belies his young age. The one problem is that he has not of yet been able to garner total command of his penalty box and this is a skill that can only come with experience, which he should gain in due time. When he returns to his parent club Chelsea, he will seriously challenge Cech for a starting spot.
LB: Jan Vertonghen
The summer signing for Tottenham has simply been instrumental for his club this season. Despite being signed as a centreback, he has been filling in at left back due to the injury to Essou Ekotto, doing more than amiably. It should come as no surprise though, as he is used to that position as most of his caps see him playing there. A solid defender, he has a physical presence and is not afraid to challenge hard for the ball. He also has a strong attacking instinct, best shown in his team's victory over Manchester United, and left back can be argued to be his best position after all.
CB: Thomas Vermaelen
Despite his recent shoddy performances, there is no denying that Vermaelen is a talented defender. Preferring to stick very closely to an opponent, he does not give them time on the ball and rarely allows himself to be turned easily. Schooled by Ajax and Arsenal, he is also very comfortable on the ball and dangerous on the times he venture forward with the sweet left foot he possesses. Also watch out for him on set pieces. He can make the opponent pay both by heading a cross in or through striking the dead ball himself.
CB: Vincent Kompany
Captain of a team assembled by the Dubai riches. Getting into the team despite not being one of the superstar names signed by the new owners. I probably don't need to say any more. Kompany was named as the main reason why Manchester City lifted the English Premier League title last season and it is hard to argue with that. One of the best in the world at one on one situations, he has been an absolute rock when he plays despite some average performances this season. Marshalling the team as captain, he can be relied upon to marshall and calm down the team as the situation requires. Belgium will certainly need some of that leadership skills if they are going to succeed at the highest levels.
RB: Toby Alderweireld
Primarily a center back for Ajax, he can also operate as a right back. It seems that for Belgium, even central defenders like to attack and Alderweireld does not deviate from the pattern. At the young age of 23, he has already been well established in the Ajax team for 5 years and that has shown in his playing style. He prefers to retain possession and will look to pass his way out of defence smartly instead of aimlessly punting the ball up the field. With three of the four defenders coming from the famed Ajax academy, they should work together very comfortably.
CDM: Alex Witsel
A big money transfer to Zenit St Petersburg is a testimont to his abilities, with his new employers willing to pay 40million to secure his services. Having really made his name in Portugal, he is widely seen as a destroyer. His role will be crucial to the team, with him providing cover for the defence while the team attacks high upfield. His main asset comes from his brilliant positioning, which stands him in good stead to defend against opposition counter attacks.
CDM: Steven Defour
He is the perfect partner for Witsel, especially since he knows him so well. Although not as combative as his partner, Defour more than makes up for it with his effort as well as a good range of passing. Forever running round the pitch, he will provide an energy for the team. While Witsel will be tasked with breaking up attacks, Defour will be used as the point to start off the attacks as he can use his good passing skills to either build up attacks through short incisive passes or go for an accurate long ball.
LM: Eden Hazard
Touted as a star for many years, Hazard has shown his capabilities with Lille. However, there were doubts whether he could perform in the big games with a bigger club and he has dispelled those notions this season with a string of wonderful performances with Chelsea. His quick feet and confidence to dribble through even if in tight spaces or surrounded by defenders has allowed him to excel and notch up 3 goals and 10 assists in the process. He will surely be a key part of the Belgium team and his team mates will be looking to him to create something out of nothing when games get tough.
CAM: Marouane Fellaini
Attacking midfielder is a relatively new position for the big Belgian as he has mostly played more backwards in games. Yet, he has excelled in his relatively new role. Often wrongly accused as a big target just to flick on long balls with his huge Afro, he does has his sublime side more often than not and proved it with his lovely reverse pass to set up Jelavic for the winning goal against Sunderland in his last club match. That is not to say he is not effective in the air. With his height and leap, I rate him as one of the best in the world in terms of ariel challenges and if need be, Belgian can revert to a route one tactic with him as a focal point. After all, it does not matter how you get the goal as long as you get it.
RM: Moussa Dembele:
This player is quite a livewire and can be relied upon to do the unpredictable. You expect him to do something and you can be sure that's not what he will do. Of course, this catches defenders out and he is currently among the top few for completed dribbles in the English Premier League. What makes him such a good player is that he is able to make the correct final ball, be it a shot himself or a killer pass, a skill most players do not possess. No doubt he will pose a lot of problems for the opposing defence and his team mates will be grateful recipients of his assists.
CF: Christian Benteke
A forward blessed with pace, he has most recently forced Darren Bent out of the Aston Villa team. With 16 goals in the previous season with Genk, it is obviously that he has at least the raw quality. In the Aston Villa colours this season, he has already shown a willingness and ability to get into goal scoring this is the one position I feel that Belgium is not yet up to positions. However, world class standard. Not that they should be overtly worried though, for both Benteke and substitute Lukaku are only 21 and still got time to develop.
No comments:
Post a Comment